Monday, January 25, 2010

Pointe Shoes!!




A couple weeks ago I got to get fitted for pointe shoes for ballet! I was so excited. I could barely wait to go. Once it was time to go I was jumping around because I was so excited. When I got to the place where I would get fitted I was jumping out of my seat. The place I went to to get fitted was at Onstage Dancewear. When I went in there were a couple of my classmates getting fitted. Finally it was my turn to get pointe shoes. Somehow I only had to try on one pair and that was the pair I got. You normally have to go through at least three pairs until you get the right size. I ended up getting a five and a half b. There was a girl across from me who had to try on at least twenty pairs before she found hers. Well it was really fun and I got to wear them last Friday.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

So Cool!




Well, probably only to me, but I'm fascinated by the fact that Cecily looks like me. None of my other children particularily resemble me, but I've thought that Cecily does since she hit 4 or 5 months old. James was in denial, until my mom emailed a baby picture. Poor Cecily, right?! ;-P

Saturday, January 23, 2010

What's Shaking?
















Not much really, but it's been too long since I've posted, so I think it's time for a quick update. Colin is potty-training (kind of, it's definitely a one step forward, two steps back process). Cecily is starting on finger foods and surprised everyone by "stealing" her brother's grilled cheese sandwich while he wasn't looking. Ian signed up for T-ball, which won't start for a while, but it's going to be kind of strange to do boy things after so many years of being a quintessential girl mom. And we did the first part of the sequential screening test which included a long ultrasound, meaning we got to see Little Poohba again. It was fun to see the baby. Some of the results came back a little elevated for risk (not enough to be concerned, but we'll definitely be waiting anxiously for the second part of the bloodwork to be done around 18 weeks or so).

Friday, January 8, 2010

Minutiae




Wow look at me go, being all chatty on the blog! I promise that one of my New Year's resolutions wasn't to be more active on the blog, but I've just felt compelled this week to post random stuff. I think I'm all juiced up due to horomones or something but hey, I'm sure I'll enjoy looking back at this stuff someday. You do truly forget the day-to-day stuff as time passes. Speaking of New Year's resolutions, I didn't really make any formal ones. But I do have some informal thoughts. 1.) I want to be a more honest, forthright person. I've already kind of mentioned this one, but to elaborate on it, I think that my unwillingness to step on toes has led me to be too timid. And that timidity has meant that instead of being upfront with my grievences I'll just either keep them in or talk about them on the sly. I don't want to be that kind of person anymore. While indulging in gossip is part of the human condition, I think, I've always instinctively felt a heap of guilt whenever I do it. So I'm going to do my best to eliminate it from my life. To more honesty in 2010! 2.) I want to spend more times enjoying my kids and the simple things in life. 2009 kind of forced us into doing this anyways, but I'm still definitely a work in progress. I always think of good ideas to spend time together - family movie night, playing games with the older kids, or doing a puzzle on Sunday evenings, but I seldom carry the plans out because life just tends to get in the way. But no more excuses. And 3.) 2010 is the year that I'm in control of my life (insofar as God allows me to be, of course). Whether it's finances, or saving money, or better time management, or even eating - I'm going to be in control.




And, I know I've said this before, but what fun is a post without pictures, so here is Ceci enjoying some M&Ms that Colin dropped - all over her new Janie & Jack outfit of course. But who can resist smiling at that chocolate mustache?

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Gratuitous Picturage











Here's some pictures of Ceci. Why, you ask? Well, why not, I say. The first is of her in her tutu outfit yesterday. Some moms are clever enough to make tutus, but not me, I just go the lazy route and buy them from Gymboree. Still cute though. The next picture is a Grandma request of her in one of her Christmas outfits. And lastly is a lovely little view of the aftermath of Cecily and babyfood - how she managed to spit up orange-colored dinner all over ME and not at all on herself is a mystery for the ages.




Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Pictures


Today was our first "official" OB appointment. We got to see the little one and he or she was moving around like crazy - the entire body and the arms and legs. So cute! I can't wait til I can start feeling those movements because that's one of the most awesome parts of pregnancy. The due date was moved up a few days to July 27th, which is almost always a good thing, but in this case not so much LOL. At least it wasn't by far. We get to see the little poohba next week too, as a part of the sequential screening test.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Well Done!


Boise State Broncos, that is. The Fiesta Bowl was a close game, down to the very last seconds. I knew it could easily go either way - the teams were very well matched. The defense really played some outstanding football. I think being the "underdog" really helped motivate the team. All the focus was on TCU and how they could compete with any team in the nation and how they might have been robbed of a run for the national championship. I'd wager that that was discussed many times by the Bronco team during the break between the end of season and the Fiesta Bowl. Gosh, the older I get the more I love football. I always grew up identifying Sunday as church-n-football day, so it's not like it's new to me. And I remember how thrilling the Badger Rose Bowl and Packers Super Bowl were. But it makes it extra special to be able to root for Boise State as alumni. James and I dream about some day being able to buy season tickets and tailgate and follow the team around - of course this won't happen til the kids are grown and gone because tickets are expensive LOL. It's kind of a bummer that the season is over (til next year!) - maybe the Packers will do well in the playoffs and we can enjoy football for a few more weeks.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Allegra Turns 8
















Allegra celebrated her 8th birthday on New Year's Eve - kicking off a year of quiet "family" birthdays for our kids. We've always done big blowout birthday parties every year, but quite frankly it's become exhausting and overwhelming. Plus it's just not necessary. What makes a birthday special is a celebration of the person, not the amount of loot one can haul away. It's a part of our all-around simpler lifestyle. For right now we're planning to do a "friends" party every other year. The kids have been completely fine with the idea, which makes me, as a parent, breathe a sigh of relief - you know, maybe I'm not raising kids with a sense of entitlement the size of Alaska. With that said, the kids get to pick any restaurant of their choice, and Allegra chose the buffet by our house, Chuck A Rama. We did lunch on the 30th there and Allegra was quite excited to get to go up and get things by herself. Then on the 31st we did cake and ice cream and presents with just family. Her party always coincides neatly with our New Year's Eve celebration. We did random appetizers, cake and ice cream, opened gifts (the big one of the night was a Nintendo DSi), and then played Taboo and Wii until midnight struck. Happy 8th birthday, Allegra!